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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, August 25, 2017

La Salette Shrine Retreat Center welcomes back old friend as director — page four (Photo by Becky Aubut) The Anchor - August 25, 2017

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St. Anne’s Shrine statue offers reminder of opioid epidemic, place to pray for victims

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — St. Mark Ji Tianxiang is perhaps one of the least known martyrs to be raised to sainthood, and may also be one of the few who went to his death still under the spell of the demon that held him captive most of his life.

The Catholic Chinese layman lived in his native land in the 19th century.

He was a medical practitioner who sought to care for the poor around him.

Yet, it was an illness of his own that led to a life of opium addiction, of which he never escaped.

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It is believed that Tianxiang suffered a serious stomach ailment and was given opium to ease the pain. As is the case in many instances, he became addicted to the pain killer and because drug addiction was considered scandalous, he was ostracized by his community.

He continuously confessed his sin of drug addiction in the confessional, but because the priest and the Church didn’t understand the nature of addiction he was scorned.

It was thought that since Tianxiang consistently confessed the same sin, he wasn’t truly repentant, therefore his Confessions

The Anchor - August 25, 2017

were considered invalid.

He was banned from receiving the Sacraments for the last three decades of his life.

Despite being ostracized from the Church, Tianxiang remained faithful to his faith and continued to study it with the help of his brother, a Catholic priest.

During the Boxer Rebellion from 1897-1900, when Chinese radicals sought to eliminate foreigners from China, Tianxiang was offered the chance to live if he renounced his Catholic faith. He refused to abandon God, even though A statue of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, patron saint of drug adTurn to page 18 dicts, was recently installed then blessed by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in St. Anne’s Shrine. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

Several priests serving in the diocese recently completed the second of four planned sessions in the “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” training program at the La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro. The four-day, retreat-like program is designed to assist the priests in honing their managerial skills in their roles as pastors and parochial administrators. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Diocesan priests get pastoral tips during leadership training series

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO — As newly-named pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford, Father Daniel W. Lacroix has already picked up some useful tips from the first two sessions of the “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” training program he’s been attending with several of his brother priests at the La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro.

“Time management and the recruitment of parishioners to fill key areas is becoming more challenging, so I have been seeking better ways of identifying the gifts of the laity and at what tasks they could be more (involved),” Father Lacroix recently told The Anchor. “The first module on identifying your ‘hard wired’ personality disposition and how that impacts your leadership style and ministry within the parish

has been helpful.”

Having just completed the second of four planned sessions, Father Lacroix said the timing is perfect, given that he’s just taken on a new assignment in New Bedford.

“I’m always open to learn new ways of doing daily things in a better and more productive way,” he said.

“Good Shepherds, Good Leaders” currently has 19 diocesan and two religious order priests enrolled, most of whom opted to attend after hearing about the program from Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. “Bishop da Cunha first presented it to the presbyteral council and then to the priests assembled at one of our study days,” Father Lacroix said.

“I first became aware of the program at a workshop for priests at Stonehill College,” said Father Michael R. Nagle, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard.

“It was offered to anyone who wanted to sign up, so I asked a few of the priests who had been and they highly recommended it, so I signed up and was accepted into the program.”

“When Bishop da Cunha mentioned it to the priests at a gathering last fall at Stonehill College, I remembered my friends from the seminary having mentioned the program a few years back,” added Father Christopher Peschel, parochial administrator of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro. “When the bishop stressed his desire for especially the younger members of the presbyterate to take advantage of the opportunity, I signed up.”

A product of the Catholic Leadership Institute based in Wayne, Pa., “Good Shepherds, Good Leaders” is designed to help priests overcome today’s challenges of a diminishing number Turn to page 20

The Anchor - August 25, 2017

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New retreat center director comes full circle being there where the apparition took place, for two full years and seeing the thousands of people who come there from all over the world, it’s unbelievable,” he said.

“Even the staff and volunteers; at any given time we’d have 100 volunteers there from 11 different countries.

“My first month there was in March. This was 6,000 feet up in the French Alps, and there was some snow. We looked out the window and there were two buses out there from Indonesia.

seen a shift in its design. Groups now come in with their own programs and presenters, and simply rent out the retreat’s facilities.

In comparison from how the retreat center was during his initial run shortly after he was ordained: “There aren’t as many Catholic high schools. Those that still exist, they come for day retreats,” said Father Baris. “More people come in now with their own priests. Like for instance, last week we had 33 diocesan priests from Fall River, and came here for a workshop. A

kept an eye on the court battle, and stated it’s still not settled yet.

“Attleboro still owes us $300,000 from taxes we’ve already paid. They ATTLEBORO — When still haven’t paid and we may have Father Bernard Baris, M.S., was to go back to court to settle it. We named director of La Salette’s Redon’t have that kind of money, treat Center in Attleboro last May, and when you’re talking about he found himself back in familiar $100,000 a year for taxes, and we territory. have to beg for money. We live on “Ever since I could remember, I our donations.” wanted to become a priest,” reFather Baris said the retreat called Father Baris. “My grandparcenter hasn’t been immune to the ents used to come every Sunday to daily struggles of covering rising the shrine, be part of the Liturgy costs: “You cannot charge [a lot] processions and all that, and so I for a weekend. What we charge for grew up hearing nothing but La a weekend doesn’t cover our costs.

Salette. When it came time for me That’s why a lot of retreat houses to make a decision to follow my are closing. You have to keep it vocation into the priesthood, it was full. It’s not just booking rooms natural that I would be part of La but it’s presenting good, Spiritual Salette.” programs that are attractive to Father Baris entered the semipeople.” nary out of high school and found “It’s a different world,” he said, himself back in Attleboro after adding that his small staff had an being ordained in 1969, when he upcoming meeting to discuss new was assigned to the shrine’s retreat ways to approach 2018, with new center that had been built five retreats that had a more Spiritual years earlier in 1964. direction. Along with a religious Of his time at the retreat center, Sister, Father Baris has two lay Father Baris said, “It was a whole people who work full-time, and different world. We had high have been an invaluable resource. schools coming, having retreats “Forty-eight years ago we didn’t one after another; all would be have the lay people trained in coming in for two-night retreats.

We had five priests here and the Father Bernard Baris, M.S., who was named director of La Salette’s Re- theology,” said Father Baris. “That retreats were all our own retreats, treat Center in Attleboro, found himself back in familiar territory. (Photo was rare that a layperson would do theology. Today, we have staff our own programs. There were a lot by Becky Aubut) members who are excellent. This is of Catholic high schools — from the age of the laity.”

Worcester, from Boston — and When I think of Indonesia, I couple weeks from now there will Some of the ideas for new prothey were all coming in for their think of Moslems; but there are be deacons from the Diocese of grams include a mother/daughter retreats. We had Cursillos; it was a some Catholics, apparently. [Even Providence.” retreat; a focus on Scripture; facing very busy place. though we were closed] we welFather Baris also has a foothold the challenges of parenthood usFather Baris was only at the rein the shrine, and appreciates the ing faith as a guide; and there will treat center for nine months before comed them in.”

Father Baris returned to the philosophy of the retreat house be more day programs, instead being assigned to a high school states in December 2016, and is and shrine: “It’s not just Mass, it’s of overnight retreats, said Father in New Hampshire to become its Baris. admissions director and part of its not only the director of the retreat Confessions. We do a lot of Con“We’ve been brainstorming summer camp staff. Additional as- center, he is also serving as director fessions. Last December we heard things we can possibly do and signments of Father Baris included of fund-raising of La Salette Mis- 2,500 Confessions. It’s unbelievsionary Association. able.” offer for 2018,” he said. “I think becoming pastor of Sacred Heart “This is new,” said Father Baris, Having spent more than half his there were only two weekends Parish in Lebanon, N.H., for nine of seeing the retreat center almost priesthood in fund raising and fifree during 2017, and that’s part years, and pastor of Our Lady of nances, Father Baris has a wealth of of the problem. Weekends fill up the Cape Parish in Brewster for 17 48 years after his initial ninemonth assignment back in 1969, knowledge he’s bringing to his role because people don’t work, but to years. and values his secretary when she as director, including the unresolved find things during the week, [it’s He also spent two years at the guides him through the day-to-day matter the shrine faced with the city hard] to find groups free during the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette aspects of the center. of Attleboro over paying taxes. week. We listen to people and their in La Salette, France, where in “Thank goodness for secretar“We want to be good neighbors needs. It’s easier for people to come 2015, he was named its director. ies,” he said, laughing. with Attleboro, there’s no question for a one-day experience.

“We are missionaries of Our He knew the retreat center had about that,” said Father Baris, who Lady of La Salette, and I think Turn to page 17

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - August 25, 2017

Generous gift will fund Catholic schools’ computer upgrades

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

OSTERVILLE — With a desire to share the many blessings they have received, the John Dawley family of Osterville recently made a substantial donation in excess of one-half million dollars to fund a district-wide Wi-Fi Readiness Project for Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese. It is the largest non-scholarship contribution to the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Education in diocesan history.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently acknowledged this generous gift and its donors within the context of a private luncheon hosted by benefactors of the diocese on August 9 at the Oyster Harbors Country Club in Osterville.

Presenting Jack Dawley and his wife Susan with a plaque signifying “a small sign of our recognition for your gift,” the bishop thanked the couple “in the name of the more than 6,000 children who are going to benefit from your generosity.”

“We want to say thank you, and may God continue to bless you and your family with good health for many years to come,” Bishop da Cunha said.

The Dawleys’ $550,000 contribution will be supplemented with $300,000 in federal funding to ensure that students, faculty and staff of all the Catholic schools in the diocese have reliable access to robust Internet service to support the expanded use of technology in classrooms and the implementation of digital learning initiatives.

“This is one of the few areas where we can access public resources, and so we were able to leverage that,” said diocesan superintendent of schools Steve Perla.

“We’re very grateful to the Dawley family for their gift of more than $550,000, and we’ll be getting about $300,000 from the federal government and that will allow us to update our (technology) infrastructure. Which is very important, because now we’re moving into an instructional model where students

use computers much more frequently in our classrooms.”

“This project will provide Wi-Fi in all the classrooms, faster access to data and to all kinds of online information, and that’s going to be the new method of teaching, so that students are not just sitting at a desk looking at the teacher,” Bishop da Cunha added. “They will be interacting and involved in a new process of learning. I think that is going to make a huge difference for the teachers and for the students, because they are benefit-

these schools live on the margins.

And so we were very grateful that we had a donor who was very interested in this project.”

Bishop da Cunha recalled how Dawley, a longtime supporter of diocesan charitable efforts, first approached him saying he wanted to do something “substantial” to help the mission of the diocese.

Bishop da Cunha shared a written proposal for the Wi-Fi Readiness Project with Dawley, who immediately connected with it.

“The fruits of those meet-

great to us,” Dawley said. “We traditionally have given money to my alma mater and that’s gone into endowed scholarships, so we figure we’ve helped about 25 kids over the last 25 years. But this proposal would benefit 22 schools, five high schools, and 6,000 kids. So how can you beat that if you want to give to charity?”

As a former teacher and someone who personally benefitted from a Catholic education, Susan Dawley was equally enthused about helping to provide state-of-theart technology for the diocesan schools.

“I know that when students can visualize something, it has a huge effect on them,” she said. “They pay more attention when they can see something in front of them, so having this opportunity is great.”

“Educators today are talking about ongoing education — you can’t just take a job and stop learning,” Jack Dawley added. “You have to continue to learn, and this is the vehicle to do that. You only have to read the press to realize how important Wi-Fi is in today’s world. And we feel that 6,000 kids will now get some exposure to this and in this environment, it’s important even for Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., presents an appreciation plaque to those who don’t go on to college.”

Susan and Jack Dawley during a luncheon at the Oyster Harbors CounDawley was also pleased that the try Club in Osterville on August 9. The couple recently made a generous diocese had a proposal in place that $550,000 gift to the Fall River Diocese to fund a Wi-Fi Readiness Project they could readily support. for all the diocesan Catholic schools. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) “For the diocese to take the initiative and approach us, it was ting from technology that is availings is what we have here today: just so well planned that we were able now. And if we don’t do it, we over half a million dollars given impressed,” he said. “We’re thrilled are going to be really behind.” to our schools,” the bishop said. that we’re able to do this, and we’re Perla said the timing is perfect, “But I’m really hoping they are confident it’s going to successful. as they just completed a major not the only ones. Because Jack We have the utmost confidence review of the 22 Catholic schools told me, there are a lot of other that the bishop will use this gift in the diocese and each one is now people with means in the diowisely.” preparing a three-year strategic cese who can help the mission Having been blessed with the plan to “help us in terms of vision- of the Church — they just need means, Dawley said it is important ing for the future.” to know what the needs are and for him to support the ongoing “One of the major projects that what specific project they can mission of the Catholic Church for emerged from our review was a connect with and support.” future generations. real need to update our infrastrucFor Jack Dawley, when he heard “We’ve always liked to give to ture for technology,” Perla said. about the schools’ computer techthe Church, because we think the “We found that we needed about nology needs, it was an immediate Church’s contributions to society $800,000 to complete this proj“four-bagger” for him, using the are grossly underestimated,” he ect. Most of you who understand sports analogy for a home run. said.

Catholic school finances know that “I read the beautiful proposal for And Bishop da Cunha hopes to come up with capital money is a Wi-Fi project for all the schools other faithful Catholics like the very challenging, because most of in the diocese, and that sounded Turn to page 24 The Anchor - August 25, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Charlottesville and beyond

In the midst of chaos in one of the communities of his diocese, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond issued a statement on the afternoon of Saturday, August 12, which said (in part), “In the last 24 hours, hatred and violence have been on display in the city of Charlottesville. I earnestly pray for peace.” This shepherd died of heart failure five days later, on August 17.

The same day Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement: “On behalf of the bishops of the United States, I join leaders from around the nation in condemning the violence and hatred that have now led to one death and multiple injuries in Charlottesville, Va. We join our voices to all those calling for calm.” Remember that he was communicating to an ongoing situation of violence.

The Texan cardinal continued, “The abhorrent acts of hatred on display in Charlottesville are an attack on the unity of our nation and therefore summon us all to fervent prayer and peaceful action. The bishops stand with all who are oppressed by evil ideology and entrust all who suffer to the prayers of St. Peter Claver as we approach his feast day [Saturday, September 9]. We also stand ready to work with all people of goodwill for an end to racial violence and for the building of peace in our communities.”

The next day (Sunday, August 13) Cardinal DiNardo joined Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Fla. (chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development) in issuing a call to prayer. They wrote, “As we learn more about the horrible events of yesterday, our prayer turns today, on the Lord’s Day, to the people of Charlottesville who offered a counter example to the hate marching in the streets.”

The two clerics stated, “We stand against the evil of racism, white supremacy and neo-nazism. We stand with our sisters and brothers united in the sacrifice of Jesus, by which love’s victory over every form of evil is assured. At Mass, let us offer a special prayer of gratitude for the brave souls who sought to protect us from the violent ideology displayed yesterday. Let us especially remember those who lost their lives.

Let us join their witness and stand against every form of oppression.” There was no equivocation as to what the bishops supported and what they condemned.

The same day, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., of Philadelphia issued a statement, which pointed to the history behind the violence. He wrote, “Racism is a poison of the soul. It’s the ugly, original sin of our country, an illness that has never fully healed. Blending it with the Nazi salute, the relic of a regime that murdered millions, compounds the obscenity.”

Archbishop Chaput then issued a challenge that we go beyond platitudes and look at ourselves. He wrote, “We need more than pious public statements. If our anger today is just another mental virus displaced tomorrow by the next distraction or outrage we find in the media, nothing will change. Charlottesville matters. It’s a snapshot of our public unraveling into real hatreds brutally expressed; a collapse of restraint and mutual respect now taking place across the country. We need to keep the images of Charlottesville alive in our memories. If we want a different kind of country in the future, we need to start today with a conversion in our own hearts, and an insistence on the same in others. That may sound simple. But the history of OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 17

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The Anchor - August 25, 2017

our nation and its tortured attitudes toward race proves exactly the opposite.”

Virginia is split into two dioceses — Richmond and Arlington. On the Monday following the violence, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington issued a statement. He wrote, “The more we read about the demonstration of racism, bigotry and self-proclaimed superiority made it seem as though we were living in a different time. So much progress has been made since the Civil Rights Movement. And yet, there are some who cling to misguided and evil beliefs about what makes America unique and remarkable.”

Bishop Burbidge continued, “Any discussion of this sensitive topic must begin by condemning all forms of bigotry and hatred. For Christians, any form of hatred, no matter who it is against, is an offense — a sin — against the Body of Christ. Each person is created by God and bestowed with His unyielding love. Anyone who treats one of those creations with disrespect, disdain or violence, has offended not just that person, but also the Creator of that individual. When we witness destructive behavior, such as racism or hatred, we might naturally respond with righteous anger, but we must not respond with our own form of hatred. Hating those who hate us offers no possibility of authentic conversion or growth as sons and daughters of God.” In other words, Bishop Burbidge was reminding us that we do not fight hate with hate (which is what the devil would want us to do). We fight it with love (which means challenging the hatred, but loving the hater).

The Arlington bishop challenged his readers: “We should be grateful to live in a country where freedom of speech and assembly is cherished and protected in a Constitution. At the same time, these rights also open the opportunity for those with evil intent and backward thinking to demonstrate and share what they believe as well. The question we must ask, especially after seeing our rights misused to the point that violence erupts leaving many injured and a young woman dead, is: what do we do now?”

Answering that rhetorical question, the bishop stated, “We must find unity as a country. Unity does not mean we all believe the same things. Likewise, the freedom to express differing views or opinions does not mean we reject our unity as God’s family. The Catholic Church is rooted in fundamental principles that make us authentically Catholic — but apart from them, there are issues that allow for debate and discussion, which is normal within any family. Our country is the same in many ways. We must be united by a shared interest in freedom, liberty, and love for our neighbor. There will be disagreements and differing beliefs. But our unity is in our shared values and, perhaps more importantly, the respect we show to one another.

Without respect for each other, even when we adamantly disagree, we will see more violence and discord in this great nation. Pray for unity, respect, and peace in our communities.”

The specter of a rerun of Charlottesville on Boston Common threatened us on Saturday, August 19. Thanks to the work of the community leaders and to the power of prayer (we must not forget God’s power — neither forgetting our need to pray nor our need to conform our hearts to His), we did not have a bloodbath here.

May we heed our pastors’ calls to pray, to convert, and to truly examine our history of racism and work to eliminate it.

Daily Readings August 25 — September 8

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Aug. 26, Ru 2:1-3,8-11; 4:13-17; Ps 128:1-5; Mt 23:1-12. Sun. Aug. 27, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 22:1923; Ps 138:1-3,6,8; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20. Mon. Aug. 28, 1 Thes 1:15,8b-10; Ps 149:1-6,9; Mt 23:13-22. Tues. Aug. 29, 1 Thes 2:1-8; Ps 139:1-6; Mk 6:17-29. Wed. Aug. 30, 1 Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139:7-12b; Mt 23:27-32. Thurs.

Aug. 31, 1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 90:3-5,12-14,17; Mt 24:42-51. Fri. Sept. 1, 1 Thes 4 1-8; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,10-12; Mt 25:1-13.

Sat. Sept. 2, 1 Thes 4:9-11; Ps 98:1,7-9; Mt 25:14-30. Sun. Sept. 3, Twentysecond Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6,8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27. Mon. Sept. 4, 1 Thes 4:13-18; Ps 96:1,3-5,11-13; Lk 4:16-30. Tues.

Sept. 5, 1 Thes 5:1-6,9-11; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Lk 4:31-37. Wed. Sept. 6, Col 1:1-8; Ps 52:10-11; Lk 4:38-44. Thurs. Sept. 7, Col 1:9-14; Ps 98:2-6; Lk 5:111. Fri. Sept. 8, Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6abc; Mt 1:1-16,18-23 or 1:18-23.

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Avoiding embarrassing situations receiving Holy Communion

was recently making a retreat at a monastery in the Catskills. At Sunday Mass, I was asked by the chaplain to distribute the Precious Blood to the nuns and lay people in attendance. At one point there was a little delay as I was giving the chalice to the lay guests; the priest celebrant, distributing the Sacred Hosts, was having a brief conversation, inaudible to me, with two women in line.

After Mass, as I was heading to the tribune to make my Thanksgiving, one of the women met me and told me how upset she was that the chaplain had asked her adult daughter (who was probably special needs, although nothing in her physical appearance indicated it) whether she was Catholic before giving her Holy Communion.

“Do you know if she did anything to make the priest presume that she might not be Catholic,” I asked, to which she replied, “I don’t understand why he should even want to know. Aren’t we all children of God? It was just so embarrassing.”

Since retreatants at this monastery have to sign a “covenant” of strict silence, I led the two women into a small meeting room and closed the door. “I’m really sorry you and your daughter were embarrassed,” I whispered to her, “and please know that priests hate to embarrass anyone, especially at the Sacred time of Holy Communion, but we have a holy duty with regard to Jesus’ Body and Blood. If the way someone approaches to receive Communion raises a serious question as to whether the person is not Catholic, we have to ask.” I mentioned to her

profound bow at the waist that the chaplain obviously went to great lengths or at least of the head while the person ahead not to embarrass, since I couldn’t even hear what he receives), say “Amen” to the words, “The Body of said from a few feet away and that once her daughter Christ,” if we’re receiving confirmed she was Catho- on the tongue, open one’s mouth and extend one’s lic, he immediately gave tongue over the lower lip, her Communion. or, if one is receiving on It led to a tranquil conversation about the why-behindPutting Into the-what of the Church’s practice, the Deep about the reasons Holy Communion is

By Father given only to rightly Roger J. Landry disposed Catholics (with a few excepthe hands, place the palms tions listed in canon law), of the hands in the form about how priests generof a cross at about the level ally approach these situof the sternum and, having ations, and about how to help her daughter comport received Jesus on the top hand, step to the side, take herself at Communion time so that she would not the lower hand and with it place Jesus in the mouth. be asked again. The woman thanked me for spend- When someone doesn’t say “Amen,” doesn’t open one’s ing the time with her and concluded, “Father, we just mouth, doesn’t extend hands at all, or extends don’t know these things. just one, or reaches for It would be great if the Church told us so that we the host with thumb and index finger, or other such could avoid these embaranomalies, the minister rassments.” may legitimately wonder Her sincere last words whether the person is stuck with me for a while Catholic or has ever been during my retreat. What trained properly to make I had conveyed to her First Communion. was practical information Why would a Catholic that most Catholic thirdpriest ever risk embargraders know about how rassing anyone at Comto receive Holy Commumunion time? The simple nion, but to her it seemed to be a revelation. In some answer is because we’re dealing with Jesus Christ places catechesis on Holy and we love Him. Just as Communion is just not we wouldn’t hand our baby done as clearly as in others, sadly leaving parishio- to a stranger or give our ners in potentially embar- greatest valuables to someone who doesn’t know rassing situations when how to handle them with they travel. care, we won’t give Jesus to There are some basic someone who has given us things that Catholics need to know to avoid any reason to doubt whether He will be treated with embarrassment at Comsupreme reverence. munion time.

Many Catholic priests First, how should a have made the sad disCatholic receive? We should make a sign of rev- covery of Hosts in miserence to Jesus (normally a salettes and in the pews. I

also once had a converted Satan worshipper in New Bedford tell me how in the local coven they would desecrate Hosts easily taken from area churches whose Eucharistic Ministers were not vigilant.

We’re not trying to embarrass anyone — in fact, most of us hate to be in situations where we have to ask — but we do have the basic duty out of love to guard the Eucharist. The Church clearly instructs us, “Special care should be taken to ensure that the Host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand” (Redemptionis Sacramentum 92). In the early Church, St. Tarcisius died protecting the Eucharist from a bunch of thugs seeking to desecrate Him, and one of the minimal requirements for a Minister of Holy Communion is a commitment to prevent Jesus from being desecrated, even at the risk of our life. And if we reluctantly have to risk hurting someone’s feelings to fulfill that responsibility of love, we will. We must.

There are obviously better or worse ways to do this, but sometimes no matter how sensitive a priest is, the very fact that he does his job and asks whether someone is Catholic, or does not give Holy Communion to someone the Church clearly teaches should not receive, is deemed offensive.

Most often that flows because Jesus in the Eucharist is not regarded with adequate reverence. Some Catholics have such a soft image of Jesus that they

behave as if He wouldn’t possibly want not to be given in Holy Communion to unrepentant serial killers, to our cousin who hasn’t graced the inside of a church in decades, to those who approach drunk or stoned, or to non-Catholics or non-Christians who, not knowing any better, come to receive Him just because they see everyone else doing so. Others treat the Eucharist like cake at a birthday party and deem that rules of hospitality should dictate that everyone who desires, no matter the circumstances, should get a slice.

The point is that we’re not dealing with a thing, even with the holiest thing in the world. We’re dealing, rather, with the Eternal Son of God. And though we want, as Jesus does, everyone to come into communion with Him and with us (1 Jn 1:3), the Church teaches that receiving Him in Holy Communion is not the first step in, but the fruit of, that communion of life.

It is the consummation of the spousal union between Christ and His Bride the Church. And as we see in human relationships, if the order between entering the covenant and consummating it is inverted, what should be supremely enriching can in turn become harmful, Spiritually and otherwise.

The Church’s wisdom and practice with regard to Holy Communion are far from arbitrary rules of inclusion and exclusion but ultimately directed to the reverence and love of God and the Salvation and sanctification of all.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - August 25, 2017

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hen a person suffers from a general malaise, or even a specific discomfort, ignorance of its source can add great anxiety to his difficulties. Is it something I ate?

Did someone pass along a germ? Is this only the first symptom of a greater suffering to come? Diagnosis — even when pointing to a serious problem — can at least relieve the initial anxiety, even if it sets before the patient a rigorous plan of action to deal with the root cause.

I have found the same to be true with social ills, especially when we’re surrounded by a host of perplexing behaviors which seem incomprehensible to more rational minds.

We see the disintegration of traditional morals, the growing hysteria in public fora, and legislation which is not only toxic to our Spiritual health, but often contradictory from one law to the next. Thus, when I encountered the work of a sociologist who offered a

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Marking out the abyss sate stage, during which credible diagnosis, I found culture prioritizes creature comfort in his assessment, comforts at the expense of even while understandconcrete reality and Spiriing the seriousness of our tual growth. predicament.

This explains our obsesPitirim Sorokin was sion with wealth, health, born in Russia in 1889, and was sentenced to death bodily comfort, sensual pleasure, power, and fame. after the Bolshevist revoEthics in this phase, he lution. After receiving a pardon from Lenin, he emigrated to The the U.S., where he became a distinFeminine guished academic, Genius serving for years as

By Genevieve Kineke head of Harvard’s sociology department. Through insists, will be primarily the prism of his academic utilitarian; religions must discipline, he discerned a cyclical view of history that evolve to embrace a growreflects a pendulum-like ef- ing hedonism; and arts fect. While man is Spiritual and entertainment will be consumed with decadence and material, we oscillate and sensationalism. (Nota between emphasizing one at the expense of the other, bene: he died in 1968, so these predictions were ofand he posited that presfered well before the sexual ently we suffer from an overly material view of the revolution!).

It is interesting that he world. While one might found similar epochs that think that this leads to a were overcome in the past, more precise appreciation and he explained that the of science, he calls this corrective is found in a part of the cycle the Sen-

The Anchor - August 25, 2017

recovery of our ability to reintegrate our material and Spiritual halves in a healthy way. This is something the Church knows well. The only true antidote to power is humility, and the counterweight to hedonism is sexuality rightly ordered. We are not mere animals moving to satisfy one need after another, but rational creatures called to dignity and holiness.

As for our diagnosis, the prognosis at this point is grave, and the outcome uncertain. His previous examples (the early Greek age, the late Roman empire) give one pause, and his analysis shows that our present decline began several centuries ago. What is heartening, in my view, is that there is no cause for hand-wringing or over-reaction. I find comfort in his logic, which gives something on which to stand as we respond in faith. This is bigger than one genera-

tion’s errors, it will require a long time to correct, and should inspire us to learn more about the truth of the human person.

As the Church confidently teaches, the corrective is in our very psyche, and now is not the time to buckle to prevailing lies. We must hold fast to eternal truths, to the promises of God, and the transformative power of grace. For in the end, Christ didn’t come to save societies, but souls — the people all around us. Salvation is entirely possible in any age, for nothing can stop us from loving our neighbors, and drawing them one-by-one from the yawning abyss. Take courage, for the secret lies simply in being aware of the precarious landscape, and henceforth the Church will provide amply for its navigation.

Anchor columnist Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman.”

She blogs at femininegenius.typepad.com.

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ouples who struggle to get pregnant are turning with greater frequency to the in vitro fertilization industry for assistance. In some cases, they can end up feeling they are “too pregnant” when twins, triplets or quads arise. This occurs from the practice of implanting more than one embryo at a time to improve pregnancy success rates.

A multiplet pregnancy can involve significant risk, for the children in utero, and for the mother.

Because of these risks, the pregnant mother will sometimes be advised to opt for a “selective reduction,” where potassium chloride is injected into one or two of the growing babies, to cause their hearts to seize, followed by death and the gradual re-absorption of their bodies during the remainder of the pregnancy.

This can allow the one or more remaining brothers or sisters to grow more safely and avoid further complications during the pregnancy. Given the incredible effort expended by the couple to become pregnant in the first place, these lethal practices often draw gasps of disbelief from others.

A New York Times Magazine article from 2011 chronicled the saga of a woman who selectively reduced her pregnancy from twins to a single. Even though she tried to not think too much about the two ultrasound shadows within her, she was forthright about her justification for doing it: “If I had conceived these twins naturally, I wouldn’t have reduced this pregnancy, because you feel like if

The ‘expendable children’

there’s a natural order, DNA in human embryos. then you don’t want to The experiments were disturb it. But we crecarried out in the laboraated this child in such an tory of Shoukhrat Mitaliartificial manner — in pov at the Oregon Health a test tube, choosing an and Science University egg donor, having the and involved the generaembryo placed in me — tion of many dozens of and somehow, making a embryos by IVF. The exdecision about how many periments utilized a new to carry seemed to be just another Making Sense choice. The pregnancy was all so Out of consumerish to Bioethics begin with, and

By Father Tad this became yet Pacholczyk another thing we could control.”

Her devastatingly honest appraisal of and highly precise DNAIVF and the way it deediting technology called values the lives of chilCRISPR-Cas9 to fix a dren offers an important defective, disease causopportunity for reflection. ing gene that some of the When we take it upon embryos carried. While ourselves to manufacture research into understandnew human life in test ing and eliminating seritubes, it indeed becomes ous diseases is certainly another “thing we can good and praiseworthy as control,” an object for our a goal, the techniques we own willful manipulation, employ as we pursue good another means to realresearch goals need to be ize our own goals. This good as well. Doing evil “command and control that good may accrue, is, mentality” over procreafter all, still doing evil. ation sets up a glide path These research experifor us to begin treating ments performed on huour own offspring like man embryos at OHSU raw material, even tempt- were morally objectioning us to exercise an able on a number of absolute, death-dealing counts. If such genetically dominion over them. As modified embryos had they are produced in the been allowed to grow up, laboratory and transferred there may well have been to the womb, our children unintended effects from can become an abstracmodifying their genes, tion, mere pawns to be played in the end game of seeking what we want.

This attitude of seeing our offspring as expendable is becoming more widely accepted not only among IVF customers, but also among biomedical researchers themselves. In August, a highly-troubling report was published describing the first successful editing of

unanticipated defects that they and future generations would bear. The problems and risks associated with this kind of “germ-line therapy” raise such serious concerns as to make it doubtful it should ever be attempted in humans. Even more distressing from the moral point of view is the fact that very young humans were treated not as ends, but as mere means to achieve particular investigative goals. They were created in laboratory glassware, experimented upon, their genes were tinkered with and they were killed and dispatched as research fodder into biohazard waste containers. The purported darkness of medieval times was never as dark

as the remarkable ethical blackness that is descending upon contemporary “enlightened” man as he exploits and destroys his own offspring.

Vigilance and care are required when dealing with vulnerable research subjects, and human embryos are among the most vulnerable of God’s creatures, entrusted to us as our children, calling for stringent measures to ensure their protection and safeguard their human dignity.

Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org.

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The August apparition and the passion of the children of Fatima Editor’s note: This guest column by Grace Small, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and a high school teacher, is the seventh in a nine-part series on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. he account of the August Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima came after the shepherd children had undergone much suffering. Perhaps in this month, the theme of the mystery of redemptive suffering and strength shines more vividly in the experiences of the three children. To start, Lucia’s father and uncle brought her to the administrator of Vila Nova where she was harshly interrogated.

The administrator’s purpose was to force Lucia to reveal the secret and to promise him never to return to the Cova da Iria.

Frustrated and getting nowhere, he released Lucia, but only after protesting that he would achieve his purpose, even if he had to take Lucia’s life.

When she returned home, Lucia was chastised by her mother, but through a special grace, Lucia always saw the Hand of God in all these things, and accepted these sufferings without bitterness toward her parents, and offered these sufferings to God for the conversion of sinners.

Lucia’s first Spiritual director, Rev. Dr. Formigao, also interrogated Lucia about the apparitions on a monthly basis. One day he said to Lucia, “My child, you must love Our Lord very much, in return for so many favors and graces that He is granting you.”

Lucia noted in her memoirs that, “these words made such an impression on my soul that, from then

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on, I acquired the habit of the abandonment of their parents made them suffer constantly saying to Our most. It seemed that the Lord: ‘My God, I love children were to share in You, in thanksgiving for the graces which You have the Passion of our Lord in a special way, particularly granted me.’” We can adin His abandonment on mire the Spiritual growth the cross. “My God, my which Lucia attained by God, why hast Thou abanresponding to crosses and doned Me?”(Mt 27:46). graces with a heartfelt sense of gratitude to God. We must remember that While Francisco became to these small innocent a true adorer of the hidden children the psychological intensity of their sufferings Jesus in the Tabernacle, was great. Jacinta with making reparation to Him for sinners, he increased the number of Rosaries and his devoLiving Our tion to the ImLady’s Message maculate Heart of Mary with whom

By Grace Small he had fallen in love. Jacinta, who had become so impressed by the vitears streaming down her sion of hell, took the path cheeks would say: “Neither of sacrifice to save sinners your parents or mine have and making reparation to come to see us. They don’t the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One day two priests bother about us any more!”

“Don’t cry,” said Francisco, visited the children and “we can offer this to Jesus they recommended that for sinners.” Then, raisthey pray for the Holy ing his eyes and hands Father. The children did not know who he was, but to Heaven, he made the Jacinta eagerly took up the offering: “O my Jesus, this is for love of You, and for charge of praying for him the conversion of sinners.” in her Rosary ejaculation: Jacinta added, “And also “O my Jesus, forgive us for the Holy Father, and our sins, save us from the in reparation for the sins fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven especially those committed against the Imin most need of Thy mercy, maculate Heart of Mary.”

In jail, the children were and for the Holy Father.” taken one-by-one and The journey through the were told they would be angelic and Marian apparitions had strengthened fried alive. During Jacinta’s interrogation, Francisco the three children with a confided to Lucia with solid Spirit of prayer and boundless joy and peace: sacrifice that they were “If they kill us as they say, ready for whatever sufferwe’ll soon be in Heaven! ings the good God would permit in His Providence. How wonderful! Nothing else matters!” Then That month, in fact, they after a moment’s silence, were taken to the administrator again. As the 13th he added: “God grant that Jacinta won’t be afraid. of August approached, all three children were put in I’m going to say a Hail Mary for her!” Here we see prison. There the sense of

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the joy Francisco experienced in his suffering, looking to the promise of Heaven, beyond the cross.

His heart is full of love for God and for his sister Jacinta, whom he prays for in order to strengthen in her sufferings. It is reminiscent of how Our Lord consoles us in our sufferings from the cross with His words to St. John and to all of us, “Behold thy mother.” The children respond to the Lord’s burning desire for co-redemptive love, “I thirst!” and satiate His thirst for self-sacrificing love. Francisco offers his sufferings in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Immaculate co-redemptrix, and mediates on behalf of Jacinta.

When the threats of the administrator failed, each of the children were all returned to the prison. The other prisoners who were present tried to console the children by saying, “But all you have to do is to tell the administrator the secret! What does it matter whether the Lady wants you to or not!”

“Never!” was Jacinta’s vigorous reply, “I’d rather die.”

Here one sees the resolve of the children to give their lives for Christ and their Immaculate Mother rather than betray the truth that was entrusted to them. Their heroic witness to the Fatima secrets becomes a white martyrdom for the children. Here we can appreciate the integrity of the children and their unwillingness to compromise with the forces of the world, even amidst persecution, imprisonment and the threat of death.

One could make many reflections on this point especially how the children loved Jesus and Mary, more than themselves, and how they rejected human respect even at the cost of their very lives.

They were willing to suffer anything rather than sin or betray Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother. They would honor their Spiritual Father and mother with their lives.

By the time the children had arrived at home from their imprisonment it was the 15th of August. On Sunday, the 19th of August Lucia and Francisco and his brother, John went to pasture their sheep at a place called Valinhos.

Francisco in particular felt tormented by the fear that Our Lady would no longer appear to them since they had not met her on the 13th of August as she had requested. Feeling once again the supernatural atmosphere and that Our Lady might appear to them, Lucia convinced Jacinta’s brother John to run home to call for Jacinta lest she should not be present when Our Lady appeared. It is at this point that Our Lady appeared to the children.

“Meanwhile, Francisco and I saw the flash of light, which we called lightning. Jacinta arrived, and a moment later, we saw Our Lady on a holmoak tree. “What do you want of me?” “I want you to continue going to the Cova da Iria on the 13th, and to continue praying the Rosary every day. In the last month, I will perform a miracle so that all may believe.”

In the account by John De Marchi, “A Lady More Continued on page 19

If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog

Tuesday 15 August 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Best Friend ’s Day t’s going on eight months since my dog Lurch came to live with me. I’ve been getting to know him, getting to know all about him. This works both ways. He had to get to know me as well. Unfortunately, being a dog, he is unable to read this Anchor column. That is, after all, how you got to know me so well, dear readers.

When I picked Lurch from among the other dogs at the adoption kennel, they told me a bit about him. He’s a lurcher — that is, a greyhound mix. What mix, nobody knew exactly. He was perhaps four or five years old. Maybe two. Nobody knew for sure. He had been brought to Massachusetts with other lurchers by volunteers in the American Lurcher Project.

Unlike greyhounds, many of these Midwest lurchers live their entire lives outside. At first, Lurch found indoor living discombobulating. Also unlike greyhounds, most lurchers are familiar with other dog breeds.

Depending on their age and the type of breed with which they are crossed, lurchers can sometimes run faster than purebred greyhounds, if you can imagine.

Lurchers are hunters and therefore likely to chase little fury animals. Lurch needs to be in a fenced enclosure.

During the months he spent at the adoption kennel, the staff observed that Lurch had previously had little opportunity to socialize with people, but seemed to respond well to human attention and affection. He would happily settle into a “forever home,” they predicted. He did.

Here’s what I’ve since learned about Lurch.

True, he does enjoy being outdoors, but for no longer than 15 minutes — and only when it’s sunny. As soon as Lurch flies happily out the door, he will stop short and return to me. He wants me to sit on the stoop and scratch his chin. First things

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first. cally.

Lurch likes to lie upside When I’m at the rectory, down in the grass. This is called Lurch flops down in whatever “roaching.” Before he finds a room I happen to be in, curled nice spot for roaching, however, up on a comfy cushion. Somehe’ll run around the yard like times Lurch will sneak off, but a maniac. He does indeed run I see him. He’s curious to know faster than what’s in a greythe outhound, but of-bounds The Ship’s Log he runs rooms of Reflections of a in figurethe rectory.

Parish Priest eights.

Lurch This eats only

By Father Tim would not when he’s Goldrick win races. hungry but If I seem he sleeps disinteranytime. ested in his game, he will stop The one food he’ll never refuse and bow at my feet. I, of course, under any condition is a pizza am expected to acknowledge the crust. Although he has learned bow by cheering him on in his to appreciate some high-end race to nowhere in particular. doggie treats, he remains unimLurch is never happier outpressed with stuffed toys. Just doors than when he’s digging. toss him an empty plastic bottle This is not a greyhound trait. It’s and he’s happy. the result of his mixed genes, I Lurch doesn’t like sudden suspect. I’m now guessing he’s a noises, not even a sneeze. A greyhound crossed with a beagle.

Beagles are famous for digging.

Greyhounds are sight hounds but beagles are scent hounds.

On his father’s side, Lurch spies anything that moves but on his mother’s side, he loves the smell of fresh earth. I tried to discourage this behavior, but then I thought: Why? What real harm is it doing? He was born to dig.

Knock yourself out, kid. Your mother would be proud of you.

If it’s raining, forget going out in the yard. He may be an outdoor dog, but Lurch has enough common sense to stay indoors when it rains. Romping in a snowdrift is totally out of the question.

Initially, Lurch suffered some separation anxiety. If I left the house, he would pace and roo until I returned. Rooing is a kind of moaning howl greyhounds make in order to reconnect with the pack. He must have inherited that from his father. Fortunately, Lurch got over it. He now seems to realize that I’ll soon return and goes right back to sleep.

Nevertheless, he’s always at the door to greet my return energeti-

passing motorcycle will set him on high alert. In a rainstorm, he tries to hide someplace the thunder won’t get him (as in Father Ray Cambra’s old room). When he hears firecrackers going off, he makes a beeline for my bedroom closet.

Lurch has limited English language skills. He knows his name. He knows “cookie-cookie?” The word needs to be repeated rapidly in succession. He knows “wannagout-wannagout?” spoken as a single word and with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Lurch may have a limited vocabulary, but he is a master of body language. He knows how to read me at least.

Lurch is now part of my life, dear readers. We’ve gotten to know each other. To paraphrase President Harry S. Truman, “If you want a friend, get a dog.”

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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Using a foil solar screen filter from his high-powered telescope, Deacon Alan J. Thadeu was able to provide staff members at the Chancery office in Fall River with a safe, first-hand look of the rare solar eclipse on Monday afternoon, August 21, from the parking lot. Here Deacon Thadeu assists Isabel Lavoie, daughter of Julie Lavoie, senior accountant, in viewing the eclipse using the filter. At right he assists Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P., associate director of vocations. (Photos by Kenneth J. Souza)

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awoke to the sound of vehicles coming and going on the nearby streets. It was early morning and I was still trying to shake the cobwebs from my brain. Then it dawned on me. This was Barge Day and workers were already getting outgoing items in position for eventual loading later in the day.

By 7 a.m. the Young Brothers barge was slowly being nudged by two tugboats into place at the Kalaupapa dock. Christmas in July was about to happen as it usually does on an annual basis and some longawaited goods were about to be unloaded. This brings to mind the story about that time many years ago when a very large and very rare animal out of Africa

A long way to tip a Rarey was being unloaded at the Park Services as well as docks in London. It was a vehicles for the National difficult job and the dock Park, the state, as well boss was trying to figure as resident patients and out how to make the trans- workers. Also unloaded fer of this massive animal, are household appliances known as a Rarey, onto the such as washers, dryers, dock. Then suddenly a couple of Irish dock workers broke Moon Over into song with, “It’s Molokai a long way to tip

By Father a Rarey, it’s a long Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. way to go.” (It’s a long way to Tipperary. It’s a long way to go.) This worked in and refrigerators, as well as WWI and it worked again. non-perishable food and The Rarey was soon on the drink. Some of us residents dock. watched as various crews of The barge comes here the barge, state, and Naonce a year, usually in July. tional Park went to work It brings in our fuel for the with fork lifts of various year in several tankers. Also sizes. Dressed in helmets of on board are heavy duty varying colors and wearing machinery for the National green or pink protective

vests, they worked feverishly until about noontime when they broke for lunch.

Shannon had already sprinkled the charcoal grills with some type of lighter fluid — without setting himself on fire — and cooked the hot dogs and hamburgers to perfection.

The workers were then served by Tim and his kitchen crew.

After lunch it was time for the helmeted hordes to get back into action. While the barge crew concentrated on the orderly loading of the outgoing cargo of empty tankers, junked vehicles and shipping containers full of scrap metal, as well as our year’s recycling ma-

terial and used household appliances, the settlement crews got busy moving supplies to their respective locations. One such enthusiastic worker whom I will not name caught my attention as he sped around on a small fork lift.

As I watched, I was not sure whether he was delivering goods or practicing for an upcoming NASCAR race. By 4 p.m. the frantic action had slowed down and by 4:30 p.m. the Young Brothers barge was now edging away from the pier on its way to port in Honolulu. It’s a long way to tip a Rarey!

Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

The Missionary Sisters of Charity held a four-week summer camp for 45 children in New Bedford. On the last day of the camp the Sisters, adult volunteers, parents, and children participated in a pilgrimage to Holy Cross Family ministries in Easton. It was an opportunity to learn about Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, whose ministry made the Spiritual practice of the Rosary known across the globe. In honor of the centenary year of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, the children consecrated their lives to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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Vatican astronomer: solar eclipse recalls beauty, truth of Creation

Owensboro, Ky. (CNA) — As Americans prepared to view a total solar eclipse passing from Oregon to South Carolina, the director of the Vatican observatory reflected on what the event can teach us about God and His Creation.

An eclipse “reminds us

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of the immense beauty in the universe that occurs outside of our own petty set of concerns,” Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., told Time magazine. “It pulls us out of ourselves and makes us remember that we are part of a big and glorious and beautiful universe.”

The Anchor - August 25, 2017

Brother Guy was in Hopkinsville, Ky., 80 miles southwest of Owensboro, one of the places where the August 21 total eclipse lasted the longest.

The eclipse reflects that “God chose to make a universe that was rational, so that we could predict these eclipses

with enormous precision,” he said.

In addition, it shows that God made Creation beautiful: “it is not only that the eclipse occurs just when it is supposed to, but that, along with the delight that our calculations are right, there is the delight at seeing the beauty that comes, that we can experience, while we are underneath this eclipse.”

The tradition of appreciating eclipses is a long one in the Catholic Church.

In the eighth century, St. Bede the Venerable, an English monk, described how a solar eclipse is caused by the moon hiding the sun’s light from earth.

At Benedictine College

in Atchison, Kan., another point of totality for the eclipse, the campus held a viewing and presentations

by Vatican observatory officials.

On August 20, the college’s new Daglen Observatory was inaugurated, and Father Christopher Corbally, S.J., president of the National Committe for Astronomy for the Vatican, spoke on the history of astronomy, science, and the Church.

The following morning, Father Paul Gabor, S.J., vice director of the Vatican Observatory Research Group, gave a presentation on the history of eclipses in human thought and observation, and how records of the phenomena have yielded scientific advances.

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he Internet is perhaps the most consequential tool of the modern age. It has connected everyone with a router or Wi-Fi connection to a realm of information that grows exponentially every day. In the hands of educators, the web untaps the flow of knowledge about history, religion, politics, art, math, and science in ways that encyclopedias and blackboards never could.

In our diocesan schools the potential of this connectivity is about to be enhanced due to the ingenuity of our

Charity begins at home — and goes viral

school leaders and the gener- in revised curriculums. This osity and vision of a singular means source material for donor. projects and units from the Jack Dawley and his wife first grade up to senior year Susan, along with the blessing of his three children, have fashIt’s What ioned a gift of more We Do than $550,000 which is directed towards

By James A. significantly upgradCampbell ing our schools WiFi capability. This gift, along with matching funds from the federal of high school will have government, will propel our access to a fast and reliable schools to begin using a Internet. “blended learning” approach What are the roots of this vision to help our schools?

Not surprisingly they began with a mother’s love and a strong faith. Jack Dawley was born and raised in Melrose, the fifth of eight children of James and Mary Dawley.

When he was 10 years old his father was killed in an industrial accident, leaving his mother to raise all eight through the midst of the Depression and World War II. Jack attended BC High and then Boston College, becoming a “Double Eagle” just in time to enroll in the Navy and serve two years in Korea as a lieutenant.

August 27, 11:00 a.m.

Upon his return from service Jack began a career at General Electric that spanned 16 years and saw increasing levels of responsiCelebrant is Father David C. Deston Jr.. bility and management leadparochial administrator, St. Anne Parish, ership. In 1958, he married Fall River Susan, a school teacher who to this day retains a love of the classroom. Together they raised three children: Elizabeth, Ellen, and John.

Throughout the next three September 3, 11:00 a.m. decades Jack built a career in industry and telecommunications that saw the family move to five states and ultimately retire in Atlanta after Celebrant is Father Mark R. Hession, a merger between Con-tel pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and GTE in 1995.

Parish, Seekonk Through those years Jack maintained contact with his beloved Boston College, and as his success grew, so did

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

his generous response to his high school and college. The Dawleys established named scholarships at both institutions. In part, this loyalty and support was engendered by their respect for the values and rigor that each institution emphasized.

His mother’s faith, strength, and piety were reflected in the way he approached his philanthropy.

Always faith filled, two of his younger sisters are nuns, Jack and Susan have turned towards the Church for ways to continue to make a difference.

“I decided two years ago to increase my contribution to the Catholic Charities Appeal substantially. Partially, I wanted to see if anybody noticed.” We did. “I did the same thing in the Diocese of Venice and they noticed, too. Once I met with Bishop da Cunha, I immediately sensed that he was a good listener. He had a definite vision of how to reinvigorate our schools and parishes but knew that he had to involve the laity. I don’t think the Roman Catholic Church gets enough credit in the wider world for all the good we do. The mission work, the care and feeding of the poor both within our own communities and around the world is enormous. In my eyes, religion and education are the keys to unlocking potential in others.”

The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education has been primarily focused on securing funds to help families afford elementary and high school tuition costs.

Now, however, a new focus has emerged through the efforts of the bishop’s Task Force on Education. “We want our schools to be both affordable and market com-

petitive in terms of curriculum, technology, and innovation,” said Steve Perla, the superintendent of schools for the diocese.

Jack and Susan met with Bishop da Cunha in September of last year and expressed a willingness to help but wanted specific project ideas not related to scholarships.

“When we met again in Florida this past winter the bishop presented me with a solid plan to improve our schools through the implementation of a Wi-Fi improvement that had the added benefit of leveraging federal dollars of which we are entitled to achieve the goal. Once I read the proposal and digested it, we discussed it within our family and decided to fund it completely.

I was impressed at the degree of detail and specificity that was included in the proposal.

“I think our Church needs those of us who have some means to step up. If technology is not your passion, perhaps scholarship, or Sacramental preparation, or youth, or soup kitchens, or homelessness. Our Church touches all those areas and more. If we could increase our giving 10 percent a year, in seven years it would double. Think about how much good we could be doing if that happened,” said Jack.

The Dawley family has enabled our students to reach beyond for the tools they will need in the future. The roots of this generosity began in a home marked by tragedy but defined by hard work, perseverance, and charity suffused with faith. May they long know our gratitude for their gift and their vision.

Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Off ice;Catholic Charities Appeal;Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

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For and About Our Church Youth Diocesan Catholic schools pro-actively reaching under-served populations

FALL RIVER — In his recent pastoral letter “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope,” Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., called for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River to “pro-actively and successfully reach out to and enroll diverse student populations with special focus on traditionally under-served groups such as Latinos” and to “grow tuition assistance funding to serve students living at or below the poverty level.” Taking up this call, two new initiatives have been launched for schools in Fall River and the greater New Bedford area.

In order to increase their ability to reach and serve Latino students, three schools in Fall River and three schools in New Bedford will be participating in the University of Notre Dame’s Latino Enrollment Institute in October 2017. The LEI will help school leadership have a deeper understanding of Latino cultures and traditions, intercultural competency, and enlist faculty, staff, and parents to reach out personally to Latino families and invite them to Catholic

schools. Since its launch in 2012, 163 schools have participated in the LEI and experienced a 23 percent increase in Latino enrollment.

The participating schools are Holy Name, Holy Trinity, and Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River and Holy Family-Holy Name and St. James-St. John in New Bedford, and Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.

Each of these schools are committed to serving diverse populations and making their schools welcoming and inviting places where students from all cultural backgrounds can learn and succeed.

The second initiative, the Hope and Opportunity Initiative, seeks to directly impact low-income students by providing 100 new low-income K-8 students with scholarships of up to $2,000 to attend a Catholic elementary school in Fall River or the greater New Bedford area for the 2017-18 school year. In addition to the $2,000 scholarship, schools and parishes are offering financial aid to help bridge the remaining tuition gap. To date, 40 students have received the

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs, home-schoolers, Vacation Bible Schools and summer programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org 16

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Hope and Opportunity Initiative scholarship and will be attending a Catholic elementary school this fall. This initiative is made possible by a generous donation from the Carney Family Foundation and the diocese expects to offer this opportunity to more students in the future.

“We are enormously grateful to the University of Notre Dame and the Carney Family Foundation for their commitment to Catholic school education and willingness to partner with our Fall River and New Bedford Catholic

schools,” remarked diocesan superintendent of schools Steve Perla. “Their support enables our schools to more effectively serve under-served children and their families and provides access to children whose parents could not otherwise afford a Catholic school education for their children,” added Perla.

For questions regarding the Diocese of Fall River Catholic school’s participation in the LEI or the Hope and Opportunity Initiative please contact Sarah Heaton at sheaton@ dfrcs.org or 508-678-2828.

Holy Name Parish in Fall River recently concluded Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible Camp. Here campers take part in one of the plethora of activities during the weeklong camp. Kudos go out to Dawn Moniz, Dorothy Mahoney-Pacheco, and the outstanding crew members who helped to make it all possible.

For and About Our Church Youth Holy Trinity School students in Fall River participated in a first-ever Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Summer Program under the direction of teachers Paula Freitas and Therese Cabral. It was a huge success. Each week focused on a specific topic, including 3D printing/CODE, wind, water, and sun. Students designed objects for 3D printing, planted vegetables and flowers, built wind cars, kaleidoscopes, boats, and solar s’mores ovens from “Dominos” pizza boxes.

They experimented with bubble snakes, rain clouds, and water density towers.

New retreat house director comes full circle continued from page four

During a recent trip to a retreat house in Maine, Father Baris scooped up different brochures to see what that retreat house was offering: “We’re no competition; they’re up there and we’re down here. It was interesting to find out what they were doing, and the name of presenters they have coming in. If it’s good for them, it’s probably good for us too.

“It’s probably going to take me a whole year to digest all this. You have to listen to the people. Right now we’ve revamped the questionnaire we give out, [asking] what do you want?

What do you need? What are your suggestions?”

For a list of current and upcoming programs at the La Salette Retreat House, read the adjacent box.

Suggestions for programs at the retreat house are always welcome: office@ lasaletteretreatcenter.com, or call 508-222-8530.

La Salette Retreat and Conference Center, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, Mass. 02703-5155 For more information: 508-222-8530, Website: www.lasaletteretreatcenter.com BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Meets bi-monthly on Tuesdays 10:00-11:30 a.m.; facilitated by Dorothy Levesque; dates for the remaining 2017 calendar year — September 5, 19; October 3, 17; November 14, 28; December 12, 19.

GRIEF EDUCATION PROGRAMS (2017-2018): Facilitated by Sister Judith Costa, S.S.D., M.Div.; Monday evenings 6:308:00 p.m.; dates for 2017 are as follows … September 14, October 23, November 13, and December 11; dates for 2018 are as follows: January 22, February 12, March 19, April 23, May 21, and June 11.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR SEPARATED AND DIVORCED: Meetings are on Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m.; held in the lounge at the retreat center; dates for the remaining 2017 calendar year — August 29; September 12, 26; October 10, 24; November 7, 21; and December 5, 19.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Meetings take place on Tuesdays 1:15-2:45 p.m. with Dorothy Levesque; dates for the remaining 2017 calendar year are September 5, October 3, November 14 and December 12.

September 15-17, 2017: La Salette Triduum: 171st anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady at La Salette France. On September 15 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Mass with renewal of promises by La Salette lay associates; September 16 will have a 4:30 p.m. Mass with Bishop Robert Reed of Boston Catholic Television; September 17 will have a concluding Mass at 12:10 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

September 30 — October 1, 2017: “With Empty Hands” is an overnight retreat into the feast day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face to be led by Anna Rae-Kelly. Retreat participants will be drawn into St. Therese’s doctrine of childhood. Cost is $110 and it includes retreat, accommodation for one night and three meals.

October 7, 2017: International Marian Festival will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s Apparition at Fatima from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

October 18, 2017: “A Journey to Peace: Moving through Loss and Grief” is a day retreat from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. facilitated by Peggy Patenaude. The goal is to help participants move through his or her loss with courage, hope and confidence. Cost is $55 and includes lunch; overnight accommodations and a continental breakfast are available for an additional $50. Deadline for registration is October 13. For more information contact Peggy at 508-548-9149 or timeoutretreats@comcast.net.

October 21, 2017: “The Spiritual Journey: a Process of Transformation,” will be a day of recollection with Father Albert Haase, OFM. With his distinctively inspirational style, Father Albert will explore the dynamics of this Spiritual transformation. Cost is $25 (lunch will be provided) and will be held at the retreat center from 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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New shrine statue can provide solace to addicts and loved ones continued from page two

the Church, for all intent and purposes abandoned him. He was executed on June 8, 1900, becoming a martyr for the faith, something for which he prayed most of his life, in lieu of being able to receive the Sacraments.

He was canonized by St. Pope John Paul II on Oct. 1, 2000, along with the other Chinese martyrs. His lifelong struggle with addiction makes him the perfect patron saint of addicts, knowing full well what they have and are going through.

Opioid addiction has a long history, but recently it has reached epidemic proportions across the world, particularly in the United States, with staggering numbers within the Diocese of Fall River.

Because of this local scourge, a local physician approached Father David C. Deston Jr., parochial administrator of St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River, with the suggestion to have a statue of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang made and placed in the shrine, giving addicts and their loved ones a place to pray for his intercession in battling this life-altering and lifethreatening disease.

Father Deston and the parish agreed. “Drug addiction is a growing problem causing much pain in our society today,” said Father Deston. “We turn to counseling and medicine to treat it, but we also need to pray. As a Church, it’s our responsibility to provide a place to pray, to support people and to help them carry their cross.”

Some addicts have chosen their lot in life, others have fallen victim to pre18

scriptions originally meant to help them, but instead, became dependent on the drugs past their ability to stop.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., blessed the statue located in the St. Joseph’s Shrine area of St. Anne’s Shrine, on July 26, the feasts of Saints Joachim and Anne.

“I am glad we have placed the statue of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, patron saint of addicts, at the shrine of St. Anne,” Bishop da Cunha told The Anchor. “This statute can be for those struggling with addiction, a sign of God’s constant care and love for them. It can be a sign to them that they are not alone. It can also be a source of help to the family members of those facing addiction in their lives.

It is one more instrument to use in the fight against addiction. They can pray to St. Mark, asking his intercession on their behalf.

“During these times when so many people, especially young men and women, are suffering from addiction and as our communities face the opioid crisis, we need to also use our faith and the power of prayer to seek God’s help and guidance to deal with this horrible evil.”

Believed to be the firstever statue depicting the 19th-century Chinese martyr for the faith, New Bedford-based sculptor Erik Durant, who also coordinates the Fine Arts program at Bristol Community College in Fall River, was commissioned to create the statue, financed by private donors.

Durant poured through a great deal of research to

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come up with a likeness of St. Mark, since no photos or sketches of him are known to exist.

“Another local artist referred Father Deston to me,” Durant told The Anchor. “He told me about St. Mark and we got together and discussed it further.

“There is very little information about St. Mark available, so what I used for inspiration for the statue were photos of Chinese opioid addicts in the 19th century.

“I studied what the addiction did to the body, and how devastating the effects were. I also saw just how much the human body can handle.”

Durant said this is an important piece because of the local addiction crisis. “I feel it’s important because it’s relevant to all of us,” he said. “It tells the story of what is really going on around us.

“I don’t regularly create statues of saints, but I hope this helps people reflect on the crisis. We don’t know any 19th-century Chinese opioid addicts, but we all know, in one way or another, someone who is going through this terrible problem.”

In an interview with The Anchor, Durant made particular note of how St. Mark is holding the opium pipe. “His hands are reaching out, an addict looking for help,” he said.

“I tried to capture that he is holding the pipe loosely and lightly, almost asking someone to take it from him, yet not being able to let go. It’s an in-between scene — a scene of uncertainty, which is what many addicts are really experiencing.”

Over the last few years, the opioid scourge has had a marked increase in southeastern Massachusetts, with the counties making up the Diocese of Fall River having some of the highest numbers in the Commonwealth. Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes counties rank highest in the state, along with Essex County in the northeast of the state, and Berkshire County on the western fringe.

According to a May 2017 report from the Massachusetts Department of Heath, there were 501 opioid overdose deaths in 2016 within the confines of the Diocese of Fall River. Two-hundred-andthirty-three of those were in Bristol County alone.

Those are just those who succumbed to the addiction. There are countless other overdose cases handled by local EMTs and police on a daily basis.

On a Fall River Herald News crime map published in April, overdose instances appeared abundantly throughout the city, from Assonet to Tiverton, from Westport to Somerset.

St. Mark Ji Tianxiang knew the devastation of opioid addiction, how it ravished his body and mind. But it never infiltrated his soul and love for and trust in God. Far too many people across the globe have fallen prey to addiction, and the Diocese of Fall River has more than its share of these souls.

These people know the helplessness of the trap they are in, with seemingly no way out. Their families, too, share the pain and feelings of despair.

It may provide some solace to victims of addic-

tion and their loved ones knowing that one of God’s beloved saints went to his death still in the stranglehold of addiction.

The statue of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang in the St. Joseph’s Shrine in St. Anne’s Shrine in Fall River is a place where suffering souls may place their burdens on the shoulders of one of their own and pray for the intercession of a simple man who was ostracized by his Church and community for his disease, but a man who never lost sight of the God Who loved him unconditionally.

A prayer card for St. Mark Ji Tianxiang’s intercession found online reads: Prayer to St. Mark, patron of drug addicts “Glorious St. Mark, holy martyr of China, you are the patron saint of drug addicts because for many years you struggled with the effects of opium addiction which affected every aspect of your life.

Yet despite this you never gave up trying and praying, and in Heaven God has rewarded your perseverance. Dear saint you know better than anyone the great tribulations that come with addiction; look with compassion upon all drug addicts throughout the world and deliver them in their recovery and help them resist their temptations. Obtain from God that drug addicts everywhere may receive the support and the compassion they deserve and may all, through the grace of God be restored to full health.

“Amen.”

St. Anne’s Shrine is open daily from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline is 800-327-5050.

Continued from page 10

Brilliant than the Sun,” Lucia reports that Our Lady also said that if the children had not been kidnapped the miracle would have been even greater ( J. de Marchi, p. 121).

In Our Lady’s first words we learn that she expects the children to continue to come to the Cova da Iria to await her apparition on the 13th of the following month. Their fidelity and obedience continues to be rewarded by Our Lady. On the other hand, the obstruction caused by the administrator would cause the October miracle, as spectacular as it was, to be less than intended, due to the defiance of the authorities. Just as Our Lady’s apparitions were not intended solely for the children’s benefit but also for the benefit of all of Portugal and the entire world, the obstruction caused by these authorities in preventing the children from being present at the Cova on the 13th and their imprisonment would result in a diminishment of grace for mankind. How important to heed the messages of the Mother of God in regards to prayer of the Rosary, and sacrifice, and reparation to her Immaculate Heart!

Especially when the world was in the midst of war as it was in 1917, even as today when Pope Francis has stated that we have entered WWIII! “What do you want done with the money that the people leave in the Cova da Iria?” “Have two litters made. One is to be carried by you and Jacinta and two other girls in white; the other one is to be carried by Francisco and three other boys. The money from the litters is for the ‘festa’ of Our Lady of the Rosary, and what is left over will help towards the construction of a chapel that is to be built here.” “I would like to ask you to cure some sick persons.”

“Yes. I will cure some of them during the year.”

In this part of the apparition Our Lady directs the children on what was to be done with the offerings the people were leaving at the Cova. Here we see the money is to assist with the feast in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, the

title she had given to the children in the previous apparition of July.

The remainder of the money was to go towards the construction of a chapel where the Eucharistic sacrifice and reparation would be offered in thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings, but preeminently for sending His own Holy Mother to Fatima.

Then, looking very sad, Our Lady said: “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them.” She began to ascend as usual towards the east.

Following Our Lady’s apparition, the children were motivated to console the Immaculate Heart of Mary by looking for sacrifices they could make for sinners to save them from hell. This repetition of the maternal admonition had been given initially to the children by the Angel of Peace: “Make of everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and in supplication for the conversion of sinners.” Here we see with what urgency Our Immaculate Mother asks the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, to take to heart for love of her and Our Beloved Lord the need to pray constantly and to make sacrifices. To walk the way of penance as traced by the life of the Our Blessed Lady and Our Blessed Lord throughout their entire lives, is not something for Christians only on Fridays, or during the Lenten season, or minimally Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as the Church requires. Rather it is a call to a Spirit of continual penance and renunciation for the love of God, in reparation for our sins and for the conversion of sinners. Scripture is replete with references of how Our Lord Himself did penance for our Salvation from His birth in a poor manger at midnight to His redemptive death on the cross. In her “Calls from the Message of Fatima,” Sister Lucia makes some insightful comments: “Jesus Christ, Who was Divine, could not sin, yet He gave us a splendid example of a life of pen-

ance. Before beginning His public life, He spent 40 days in the desert, praying and fasting. The Gospels tell us that throughout His public life, Jesus frequently withdrew from the crowds in order to pray to the Father in a place apart. And before delivering Himself to death, He spent a long time in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. And do we, poor weak creatures that we are, not need to pray? We do indeed. It is in prayer that we meet God; it is in this meeting with God that He gives us the grace and strength we need in order to deny ourselves by offering up whatever it is that is required of us: ‘Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few’ (Mt 7:13-14). Here Jesus Christ points out to us our great need for self-denial because, without a Spirit of renunciation, we shall not enter into eternal life. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High!”

Sister Lucia also makes very practical recommendations in “Calls” on how we can do penance in our daily lives. One way is to offer to God the sacrifice of some little act of self-denial of the food we eat in a manner that does not prevent us from obtaining the nourishment we need to do our work. For example, when given the opportunity, we may choose to eat a fruit, a dessert or a drink that we dislike. We may endure thirst for a while and then satisfy it after a while. Recall how the children denied themselves food and drink during the summer months when they pastured their sheep as a sacrifice to God for the conversion of sinners. At table, we can choose not to take the best bit, but if we cannot avoid doing so, thank God because as a good Father He likes to see us make use of the goods He has created without us abusing them, with gratitude and love for the One Who heaps His gifts upon us. We can and must make the sacrifice of dressing decently and modestly, so that by our Christian way of dress,

“we may not be a cause of sin for others, bearing in mind that we are responsible for the sins that others commit because of us.”

Our Lady told the children, “Many fashions would be introduced that would offend Our Lord.” And “Many souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh.”

How important and interconnected are purity and modesty since we are temples of the Holy Spirit!

We may sacrifice exaggerated jewels, whose sale can be used to help our poor brothers and sisters in need. We can endure the company of people we find disagreeable, avoid complaining about people or the weather or circumstances, cheerfully allowing others to take the first places, or credit for our labors, our sacrifices or our activities, contenting ourselves with being humble and self-sacrificing for the love of God and of our neighbor. Finally she says, “Another practice is to pray, in a Spirit of penance, with one’s arms outstretched in the form of a cross, in union with Christ crucified, or to pray prostrate with one’s forehead touching the ground, thus abasing ourselves before God Whom we have dared to offend, we who are nothing and in His presence. Although such penances are not obligatory, they are necessary in many cases; for example, to help overcome fiery natures which cause people to sin, or the violent temptations of the world, the devil, pride and the flesh.”

By degrees therefore, we see that it is possible and necessary to offer small and great penances, out of love for Christ crucified and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so as to cooperate with them in extending the fruits of Christ’s redemption to all of humanity. As St. Paul says: “I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His Body, which is the Church”(Col 1:24). In this manner, we grow in deeper intimacy and love with God and the Immaculate Heart of Mary our mother, even to the extremes of heroic virtue and love testified by the lives of the saints.

What are we waiting for?

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Diocesan priests get leadership tips during training session continued from page three

of clergy and meet the more complex demands for priestly ministry. Its mission is to help priests minimize the frustration and energy they would otherwise spend on administrative roles and, instead, focus on the joy and time spent on the pastoral duties for which they were ordained.

“For the very reason that demands and expectations on priests are high, this training has the potential to reduce some of the chaos that may result by helping the priest to discern what is essential and important and what isn’t,” said Father Edward J. Healey, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

According to the Catholic Leadership Institute website, its mission is: “To help strengthen priestly identity, ministry, and fraternity. We believe this happens best when priests take time for themselves — in the company of one another — to learn, pray, socialize, and look to the future with hope.”

“The fraternity among those participating has been great, and a very practical application of how to relate well with others,” Father Healey said.

“The sessions have brought about a sense of fraternity for sure,” Father Peschel agreed. “I think there’s a sense of unity that comes out of these programs and when our priests are united, then the presbyterate as a whole is a lot stronger.”

According to Barbara Eckert, a leadership consultant with CLI who was a presenter at the most recent Good Shepherds, Good Leaders session, the program is designed to be a training course, not a lecture series.

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“It succeeds best when there is a dialogue between trainers and participants, and among participants, continually turning over ideas and possibilities,” Eckert said. “A participant cannot just read the binders and come away with a depth of learning. The benefit is exponential when there is a dynamic of shared challenge, insight, and commitment.”

As such, Good Shepherds, Good Leaders is more akin to a retreat, where participants are required to interact with presenters and one another.

Just as pastors need parishioners to support pastoral work and evangelization, it is necessary for them to be actively involved in the learning experience.

“At its best, the way Catholic Leadership Institute leads is a model of how to lead others in the parish to learn, grow and eventually lead others,” Eckert said. “Parishes benefit when a pastor has a positive experience of a learning community that prays, learns, and works with new ideas together — leading to a stronger vision of what a parish can be as it leads people to Jesus Christ.

“As Pope Francis has written: ‘It would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients’” ( Joy of the Gospel, No. 120).

Father Riley J. Williams, who just began his tenure as parochial administrator of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, said the training sessions have been a blessing.

“What has been particularly helpful for me, especially having recently

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begun a new assignment, is learning about the different types of personalities — in particular, about what to be aware of in interactions with each person, and how to call forth the best from each,” he said. “This past session helped to develop that, and I look forward to learning more about how they interact in future sessions.”

For Father Healey, the first two modules have focused on his “being more self-aware as a person, a priest and as a leader of the community of faith.”

“There is instruction on how to use this knowledge to work with others who may have rather different dispositions than you,” he said. “It isn’t that any of this is news, but it’s the very thoughtful and organized approach that is recommended by the program that is so helpful, and I look forward to more of the same in future modules.”

Likewise, Father Nagle said the first two sessions have helped him “to get to know myself better and have a better understanding of where other people are coming from so that our differences can be used to enhance our ability to work together.”

“It has also helped me to see how I can better manage my own time and set realistic goals and tasks to achieve these goals,” he said. “It has helped me to be better organized and not get in my own way as much.”

“There’s a big difference between being busy and being efficient, and I think that it can be easy to fool ourselves that we are in the latter category by being the former,” said Father Williams. “These training seminars have taught me some

great skills to use my time most effectively so that I can attend to the many needs of my parish while giving appropriate time to each need.”

“Jesus had a compelling vision for Himself and others,” Eckert said. “He did not do all things for all people as He followed a path to Jerusalem. Yet, we can see Him leading in many ways — teaching, leading prayer, calling and focusing others to become leaders in His name. He deeply cared for others and took care of Himself along the way. The Good Leaders, Good Shepherds program takes a similar path.”

Eckert, who has been with the CLI for the past 10 years, led a presentation on “Leadership in the Self Context” during the most recent session.

“It focuses on the role of the pastor and breaks it into components best understood through questions,” she said. “What is my vision of the role in this place and time in my ministry? What guiding values do I want to lead by? What do I need to accomplish in my three offices of ordination — teach, sanctify and govern — as well as in the areas of pastoral care and personal wellness? What goals can I set for myself ? What do I need to successfully accomplish my goals as pastor? Where will I find what I need to keep me on track and able to move through the inevitable challenging phases leading

to mastery of one’s goals?”

Future sessions of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds will focus on how pastors can lead one-to-one, how they can build team and parish relationships, and how they can collaborate with other parishes or organizations, she said.

Father Lacroix said he hopes it will teach him to avoid the potential “burn out” that sometimes afflicts pastors today.

“I hope to become more proficient with the time allotments I have and prioritize or triage the key demands of the day without it becoming unmanageable,” he said.

“There are less priests and more work to do,” Father Nagle said. “To me, it will be a very effective tool to have on your tool belt. It is an investment in yourself, your ministry, your sanity, and that of your parishioners.”

“I’m 29 years old, so hopefully I’ve got a few decades of ministry left in me,” Father Peschel said.

“If taking a couple of weeks now can benefit a lifetime of ministry, then it’s a wise investment of time, (especially) if you’re looking to strengthen your priestly ministry and prioritize a seemingly increasing amount of work and demands placed on parish priests these days.”

“This is the course that was needed, but was missing in the seminary,” Father Healey said. “I highly recommend it to all, and the sooner in one’s priesthood, the better!”

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Sharing each other’s pain A brief reflection of my (nearly) 10 years as a deacon This is part of an flows from the fulfillongoing series providing ment of one’s diaconal information and personal duties. And then there reflections about the are the relationships permanent diaconate in which one develops with anticipation of accepting one’s pastor and other applications for the 10th members of the clergy, diaconate class this fall. lay ministers and parishn the film, “Diioners, those involved in ethrich Bonhoeffer — Agent of The Grace,” there is Permanent a very moving Diaconate scene where, in a bombed out

By Deacon church in the Joseph A. McGinley German countryside, the great Lutheran clergyman, Faith Formation, or who theologian and writer assist at Liturgies or in the administration of the is ruminating aloud, in front of a small group of parish.

There are anxious moprisoners of war, about ments and challenges, the future of Christianity in a world that had to be sure. Singing the apparently rejected God. Exsultet, the achingly beautiful Easter ProclaIt is a kind of soliloquy, mation that is typically offered by a man soon chanted by the deacon to be executed for his at the Easter Vigil Mass involvement in a plot (eight-and-a-half minto murder Adolf Hitler utes long!) is a kind of and, at one point, Bonhoeffer offers that “real” peculiar high wire act, Christianity, with Christ especially if one has never learned how to read at its center, “means music (my pastor and sharing each other’s I have discussed that, pain.”

I am reminded of that perhaps, the collection should be taken before I scene as I reflect upon sing). But even in those my diaconal journey of challenging moments, nearly 10 years. There there is an abundance of are so many wonderful dimensions to this min- God’s grace to be found in the love and encouristry. Administering the agement and support Sacrament of Baptism (and patience!) offered is a pure joy; proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, by one’s spouse, pastor and parishioners. offering homilies, witI have found, however, nessing weddings and that perhaps the most performing wakes and profound dimension of committals and Comthe diaconal ministry is munion services — a that in which another’s more profound apprepain is shared. Those ciation for the inherent moments, for example, beauty of our Liturgies

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when the Eucharist is brought to the sick or the dying, or those who perhaps are marginalized due to a disability, are truly grace-filled because they offer the opportunity to be in communion with another, to be present to and walk with, in a Spiritual sense, those who may find themselves in the shadow of the cross. When I first began my diaconal ministry and found myself in the presence of those who were suffering, I was obsessed about saying just the right thing, but I have come to understand that one’s presence and attentiveness, coupled with the Eucharist, serves as a more powerful antidote than any words one could conjure.

I will let my bishop and pastor, my parishioners and the Church and, ultimately, God judge what my ministry means to those I serve — but those times when I have walked with someone through the dark shadows of their life, and shared in their pain and fears as they stood beneath the foot of the cross, those times have provided a depth and texture to my diaconal ministry that I never could have anticipated and for which I am profoundly grateful.

Deacon McGinley is a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Fall River and currently ministers at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham.

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

Aug. 27 Rt. Rev. Francisco C. Bettencourt, Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1960 Rev. Msgr. Hugh A. Gallagher, P. A. Retired Pastor, St. James, New Bedford, 1978 Rev. James E. Tobin, C.S.C., 2008 Aug 28 Rev. Thomas L. Campbell, C.S.C., 2012 Aug. 29 Rev. Joseph DeVillandre, D.D., Founder, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1921 Msgr. William H. Harrington, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1975 Aug. 30 Rev. Frederick Meyers, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford, 2008 Permanent Deacon Paul G. Metilly, 2013 Aug. 31 Msgr. Armando A. Annunziato, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1993 Rev. Thomas M. Landry, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1996 Sept. 1 Rev. Jorge J. de Sousa, Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1985 Rev. James F. Lyons, 2008 Sept. 3 Rev. Thomas J. McGee, D.D., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1912 Sept. 4 Rev. Joseph P. Tallon, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1864 Rev. John J. Maguire, Founder, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1894 Sept. 5 Rev. Napoleon, A. Messier, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1948 Sept. 7 Very Rev. James E. McMahon, V. F. Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1966 Rev. Raymond Pelletier, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1984 Sept. 8 Rev. Thomas Sheehan, Founder, Holy Trinity, Harwich Center, 1868

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Around the Diocese Come celebrate the parish of St. Mark’s 50th anniversary at its annual fair on Saturday, September 9 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The day will include a wide variety of activities, music, and foods. There will be cash raffle prizes totaling $1,750 and a raffle table with various items donated by local restaurants and businesses, including an Apple iPad Pro and an Apple Watch. St. Mark’s Fair is a traditional “end of summer” ritual. Come and join the fun at 105 Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls.

EWTN Global Catholic Network invites all to a Family Celebration at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester on September 9-10 for an inspiring weekend. The theme will be “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Fatima,” and will include inspirational talks by EWTN hosts Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.; Marcus Grodi; Susan Conroy; Father Maurice Emelu; and Donna Marie Cooper-O’Boyle. Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester will serve as celebrant and homilist at Sunday’s Mass. Admission is free. Visit www.ewtn.com/ familycelebration for more information.

“The Our Father,” a six-week series of the Fall River and New Bedford Scripture Alive program will be held Wednesday mornings, September 13 through October 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Office of Faith Formation, 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River. The series will also be offered on Tuesday mornings, September 12 through October 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown. There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of texts and course material. The series will be facilitated by Sister Frances Thomas. To register or for more information call 508-678-2828, extension 27 by September 6.

The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Grace Parish will host its Annual Giant Yard Sale on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The sale will be held at Our Lady of Grace Parish Center, 569 Sanford Road in Westport, rain or shine. There is a large parking lot and all are welcome. For more information, call 508-672-6900.

The St. Vincent de Paul Store located at 141 Washington Street in Taunton will be having an indoor end of the season yard sale on Saturday, September 16. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All families facing challenges are invited to come pray together during an afternoon Family Healing Mass starting at 1 p.m. with adoration, Reconciliation, Rosary and ending with Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 17 in the St. Joseph Chapel near the Father Peyton Center, 500 Washington Street in North Easton. The event is free and family-friendly, handicap-accessible, and open to all. For more information, call Family Rosary at 508-238-4095.

American Heritage Girls Troop MA 3712 will hold an open meeting and registration on Thursday, September 21 from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 984 Taunton Avenue (Route 44) in Seekonk. American Heritage Girls is the premier national character development organization for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement. They welcome all girls, ages five to 18, of all denominations. Incorporating a sixpronged emphasis on girl leadership, life skills development, social development, character development, Spiritual development and building confidence and teamwork, they work on badges, serve the community, and have fun together. For more information, visit www.americanheritagegirls.org or call Troop Coordinator Liz Day at 774-991-0729.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - August 25, 2017

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

T

The real reason for the August 21 solar eclipse

here is something out there that is killing us — slowly, and at times not-so-slowly eating away at our very souls.

This killer is not cancer, although it shares some very similar characteristics. It is not global warming, air and water pollution, genetically modified organisms or GMOs. No, it is far more insidious, although it’s been wreaking havoc since the beginning of time. The culprit is the poisonous, sometimes My View fatal human From venom.

I’m afraid the Stands that mankind

By Dave Jolivet has reached a new low in the way “human beings” treat each other. After looking back at man’s tumultuous history, I didn’t think it was possible for us to get any worse, but I am wrong. Dead wrong.

Photographs of earth taken from space reveal a seemingly tranquil tiny blue marble in the Milky Way. How deceiving those images are. As one draws closer it’s clear to see the human venom smothering the planet.

Day after day we see “liberals” and “conservatives” literally fighting to defend their causes. And frankly, neither side seeks what is good for all. Both platforms seek the freedoms and “human” rights that fit their agendas.

Blood is spilled in our streets by the hour. Rallies become war zones.

College campuses are quickly losing their positions as places of learning, instead becoming havens of opinion

often dictated by the views of individual professors.

One doesn’t know which news outlet to trust, if there are any at all.

Respect is a word that may some day become so obsolete that the folks at Merriam-Webster will simply remove it from their dictionary.

Facebook has become a battleground on which weapons of hatred and ignorance are fired at others minute by minute.

I’ve seen family members at each other’s throats because of political and social disagreements.

Family and once close friends block or unfriend each other because they can’t accept the other’s point of view.

The verbal volleys at times become quite ugly and sickening.

When Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was ratified by the usual divided Congress in 1865, it ended slavery in this country.

What it didn’t end was racism, which is as rampant now, if not more, than when the amendment was passed 152 years ago.

Yet, as only man can do, the racism isn’t just against AfricanAmericans, it’s much more diversified now — Latinos, Muslims, refugees, homosexuals, Jews, Arabs, Christians, and whatever group of people that doesn’t fit the mold of what another group of people deem as normal.

A nuclear disaster won’t wipe out

this planet. Neither will a rogue meteor, an apocalyptic earthquake, or a widespread awakening of volcanoes.

No, mankind is more than capable of killing off this planet, and is well on its way.

The sad thing is that there are good people out there — people who care and respect others, even if they disagree with their philosophies. Our only hope is that these beacons can

dispel the overwhelming darkness. It won’t be easy.

I know the reason this week’s solar eclipse took place. The sun needed some time of not witnessing the chaos on planet earth. I’m also willing to bet the moon was hoping to hide behind the sun for the same reason. That little blue marble is big trouble. davejolivet@comcast.net.

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Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

Generous gift will fund Catholic schools’ computer upgrades continued from page five

Dawleys who have been abundantly blessed will similarly find a way to give back to the Church.

“I know I’m making a difference here, but I also know there are so many good people helping me to rebuild our Church in faith and hope,” he said. “And that gives me hope, it gives me encouragement, it gives me the energy to work every day to put all my time and talent and faith and all that God gave me into it — for the good of the diocese and the good of the Church.”

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org 24

The Anchor - August 25, 2017